New guidelines aim to improve health services access for transgender people

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2018-12-14 00:01

New guidelines have been created for health professionals working with transgender and gender diverse and children, adolescents and adults to provide updated recommendations for access to hormonal therapies, puberty blockers, surgery and other gender affirming healthcare services. The authors worked with members of the trans community in NZ and incorporated international standards to produce the detailed advice. They suggest that demand for these services will continue to grow in the foreseeable future and urge healthcare providers to act now to improve access.

Journal/conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: Auckland Regional Sexual Health Service

Media Release

From: New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA)

Recommendations based on guidelines:

· All health services provide equitable and accessible gender affirming healthcare services that align with international standards, evidence-based literature and community feedback.

· DHBs enable flexible and responsive pathways on the basis of informed consent and self-determination.

· Health services enable the involvement of trans people, including Māori trans people, in decisions that affect them regarding the development and provision of services.

· Health services must support the development of culturally appropriate practice within clinical settings that acknowledges kaupapa Māori health frameworks.